Preview of KHL Game Between Sochi and Shanghai

MYTISHCHI, Russia (Interstat) — Two teams struggling to climb the Kontinental Hockey League standings will meet Friday when the Shanghai Dragons host HC Sochi at Municipal‘nyj Stadion Stroitel‘.

The matchup is a quick rematch from Monday, when Shanghai (19-29) routed Sochi 6-2. The Dragons will look to replicate that performance and halt a broader skid that has seen them lose seven of their last nine games. Sochi (14-32), anchored at the bottom of the league, is mired in a deeper slump, having lost eight of its last ten contests.

A key player to watch for Sochi is forward Sergei S. Popov, who scored a goal and registered four shots in Monday’s loss to Shanghai. Popov has points in two of his last six games but will need to drive more consistent offense for a team that has been shut out three times in January alone.

For the Dragons, physical forward Alexander Bryntsev will be a focal point. He recorded an assist and three hits in the recent win over Sochi and brings a hard-checking presence. Bryntsev has four points in his last 12 games, with his last goal coming in a win over Amur Khabarovsk on Jan. 7.

Sochi’s season has been defined by defensive struggles, including a 9-0 loss to Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Jan. 14. Their only bright spot in the last two weeks was a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Moscow on Jan. 5. Shanghai has also battled inconsistency, though its 6-2 victory over Sochi and a 3-2 overtime win against SKA Saint Petersburg on Oct. 1 demonstrate a higher ceiling.

The game will be Shanghai’s last at this venue before a lengthy road trip in late February. Sochi begins a difficult stretch after this contest, with road games at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and CSKA Moscow looming next week.

Friday’s puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. local time.